Security Trends 2019

2018 has been a roller coaster of a year with many dynamic security challenges to overcome.

The overall security situation in the United States and Western Europe has been fragile with a large number of attacks on civilian ‘soft targets’ and large corporations (ex, in the United States alone there were over 300 mass shootings in 2018). The attacks were not only physical shootings but also major cyber-attacks. While the level of fear associated with a physical attack differs monumentally from the sentiment around a cyber-attack, billions of people are being negatively impacted by data breaches. The world is not getting any safer, and with the speed of technology and general political instability, as well as with the strain on infrastructure, 2019 might not see a downward trend in security incidents. The Interfor team is here to share some of the insights we see regarding security trends in 2019.

Data breaches will continue:

Sadly, breaches of our data safeguards are not going to go away, and there is the chance they may continue to increase. We can only know what is reported in the media so there could be a lot being hidden from us by organizations who don’t want to admit their defenses were breached (despite mandates on reporting requirements). Financial institutions are the most susceptible and this is the fear that keeps CTOs awake at night; that a major breach could take down their institution.

IoT will be threatened in a major way by hackings:

It is common knowledge that wherever technology trends are moving towards, so too does the risk of being hacked. IoT (Internet of Things) is coming into its own, not just as wearable devices, but in the home as well. With the mind boggling number of 20 billion IoT connected devices by 2020, the risk for hackings will only increase. And we haven’t even gotten to automated vehicles yet.

Fake news and disinformation will spread to new spheres:

The fake news spread by Russian affiliated outlets during the Yellow Vest protests in Paris at the end of last year exemplify this trend. While “fake news” in general is not just the spread of falsehoods, it is also an entrenchment of one’s beliefs, and sometimes those beliefs can lead to violence. Judging from the current political situation in the United States, questionable news sites and social media will be ripe for Russian manipulation and other would-be copycats. In 2019, as always, it’s a good idea to closely examine where you are getting your news from.

Big Tech will continue to struggle with privacy:

While 2018 was not a good year for Facebook, 2019 might see the spotlight on other tech giants. There is a lot we don’t know about how many tech companies use our data (which we continue to give away so freely), and in Facebook’s defense it was the platform of choice for Russian affiliated bots and fake news, thus it bore the brunt of the public’s criticism. We’ll see how things with Amazon, Google, Netflix, et al. play out this year.

Gun violence will continue:

We really wish we didn’t have to make this prediction, but nothing has changed socially or politically on this front since last year. In fact, as we write this, the government is shut down and the rifts in our society still seem like a chasm we can’t cross. We cover this issue extensively at Interfor because it’s so important and close to home; remember to always stay vigilant, and if you feel something is not right, say something!

The New Year might be the time for resolutions and self-improvement, but it is also the time to take stock of the year ahead. We don’t think about our personal safety and that of our families until the unexpected happens. There is so much we can’t control, what we can control is how prepared we are and how we react to an unexpected security situation. We wish you a safe and quiet 2019 but know that the team at Interfor is here if the unexpected ever arises.

Daniel has a strong track record in the fields of intelligence, security and business development. After obtaining a master’s degree in Middle East affairs he deployed as a cultural field analyst for the U.S.Army in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On his return to the United States, Daniel worked as a consultant and analyst on private sector projects related to counter-terrorism, terror financing, and related security matters. Prior to joining Interfor, Daniel was the U.S.-based liaison for a premier French physical security company, where he focused on developing visibility for the firm within the North American market and creating strategic partnerships.
At Interfor, Daniel applies his analytic and operational background in meeting the needs of our clientele, whether it’s case management, development of sources, or project execution. Daniel is also the regional director for a volunteer security organization. He is an avid traveler and fluent in French

LYNNE FRIEDMAN, Ed.D. - Vice President, Director of Research

Dr. Friedman joined Interfor, Inc. in early 1991. Dr. Friedman has more than thirty years of experience in corporate inves­tiga­tions. She has provided research and investigative management to in-house staff, field personnel and confidential sources for due diligence background investigations, litigation support fact finding and international asset investigations. Her research and experi­ence include coordinating and managing numerous large-scale interna­tional investigations, corporate takeover investigations and asset searches. B.A. and M.S. Queens College, Ed.D. Columbia Univer­sity.

TODD YOUNG - Vice President, Senior Investigator

Mr. Young has been an international corporate investigator for more than thirty years. He now heads Interfor’s asset detection division. He participated in the high profile asset searches of Ferdinand Marcos and Jean Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. Mr. Young received his B.A. from Ithaca College where he studied history.

BENJAMIN KUNDE, CFE - Director of International Investigations

Mr. Kunde oversees complex investigations, cross-border asset searches, and international due diligence analyses. A Certified Fraud Examiner, he leverages over nine years of deep industry experience, bringing significant analytical, research, and management skills to each client matter. Mr. Kunde is the lead liaison to Interfor’s German clients and partners. Further, he is responsible for implementing Interfor’s international growth strategy – advising in-house counsel, attorneys, and dealmakers. As a senior investigator, he led investigative teams in hundreds of fraud, litigation support and high-profile asset/sovereign debt investigations. Mr. Kunde ran Interfor’s Los Angeles office and opened the firm’s Singapore branch, marking its first operations in Asia. Mr. Kunde earned his M.B.A. from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University, specializing in Economics, Business Law, and Management. Following his military service in Berlin, he also received a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Rostock, Germany.

THOMAS M. SUOZZO - Sr. Vice President

Thomas M. Suozzo, Esq. is Senior Vice President, Business Development & Marketing at Interfor International. Mr. Suozzo oversees the business development, marketing and public relations efforts of the firm. Prior to joining Interfor, Mr. Suozzo was in private practice for more than ten years, specializing in civil litigation. In addition, he has served in an executive capacity with public and private companies in the legal service and medical device industries. His combined expertise in law, litigation services and business development is a valuable addition to the executive team at Interfor and provides an opportunity to expand new venture initiatives at the firm. He graduated with a B.A. from Rutgers University and a J.D. from the Syracuse University College of Law.

Tom Suozzo is an expert in the field of corporate crime and fraud and recovering misappropriated or embezzled funds. He is available for interviews or speaking engagements.

DON AVIV - President

Don Aviv, CPP, PSP, PCI, is the President and Director of the Physical Security Group for Interfor International, where he is responsible for day-to-day operations. He has extensive experience in physical security, risk management, crisis mitigation and investigations.

Prior to joining Interfor, Mr. Aviv was the Global Security Manager for Parametric Technology Corporation, an international software company, where he was responsible for the security and safety of company assets and personnel within 138 global field offices. During that time, he was an Executive Member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee in the Town of Needham, Massachusetts. Mr. Aviv previously worked as an undercover and field investigator for a regional investigative firm.

Mr. Aviv is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and a Board Certified Physical Security Professional (PSP). He is also a certified New York State Private Investigator and Security Officer and most recently attained certification as a Professional Investigator (PCI, Professional Certified Investigator). He holds a B.A. from the University of Rochester and a Alpha Phi Sigma M.S. in Criminal Justice from Suffolk University. Mr. Aviv is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland University College.

Don Aviv is an expert in the field of physical security. He is available for interviews and speaking engagements.

Before founding Interfor, Mr. Aviv served as an officer in the Israel Defense Force (Major, retired) leading an elite Commando/Intelligence Unit and was later selected by the Israeli Secret Service (Mossad) to participate in a number of intelligence and special operations in the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1984, a true account of one mission he led was published in a book entitled Vengeance, by George Jonas. The book became a best seller and was the basis for the HBO film Sword of Gideon and Steven Spielberg’s Munich.

Mr. Aviv’s bona fides have been verified by government and media sources. According to documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act, the FBI, after investigating Mr. Aviv in the early 1980s, concluded that although not currently working with Israeli Intelligence, Mr. Aviv did have ties to the Mossad. Mr. Aviv has also been thoroughly vetted many times by lawyers for some of the largest corporations in the world before becoming Interfor clients.

As head of Interfor, Mr. Aviv calls upon more than 35 years of experience conducting international investigations into white-collar crime at scores of multinational companies. He has personally solved numerous cases of fraud, counterfeiting, embezzlement, anti-competitive behavior, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the banking, insurance, aerospace, entertainment, pharmaceutical, and aviation industries, to name just a few.

A leading authority on terrorist networks and their inner workings, Mr. Aviv served as lead investigator for Pan Am Airways into the Pan Am 103-Lockerbie terrorist bombing. In addition, while working as a consultant with El Al Airlines, Mr. Aviv conducted a survey and update of its security program that has made El Al the safest airline in business today.

Mr. Aviv has been a speaker and panel participant for many organizations including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of the U.S. Trustee, the Internal Revenue Service, The Ontario Securities Commission, Smith Barney, Aon Insurance, INSOL and the American Bankers Association. In addition to his speaking engagements, Mr. Aviv has been a frequent contributor to articles and programs on U.S. preparedness relative to various forms of terrorism. He has served as a consultant on counterterrorism for the FOX News Channel and has been a frequent guest on ABC’s Nightline and many other news programs and has been featured in numerous articles in major magazines and newspapers worldwide, including The Wall Street Journal Europe, The Financial Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Toronto Sun, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, and The Economist.

Mr. Aviv is a leading expert on the subjects of terrorism and white collar crime and fraud. He is available for interviews and speaking engagements.